What is a sworn translation and who provides it?
A sworn translation is an official translation that is legally valid, and signed and stamped by a sworn Catalan translator who is accredited by a competent authority (the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Spanish or the General Directorate of Language Policy in Catalonia). That signature and stamp certify that the translation into Catalan or Spanish is faithful to the original, complete and carries the same legal value as the original document.
With translations between Spanish and Catalan, the Spanish-Catalan translator is authorized by the relevant body in their geographical setting.
Step by step: how the technical process works
- Selecting the right professional
You need to have an officially credited sworn Catalan translator or sworn Spanish-Catalan translator. In Spain, this title is granted through an exam by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or through approved qualifications. - Receiving and checking the document
The original document is received, checked to ensure its integrity, format and legibility. It is also checked to ensure it is ready to be translated without losing vital information. - Technical translation and certification
The translator then translates the document into Catalan (or into Spanish), respecting the structure, specific terminology and style of the original. A sworn translation must include:- The signature and stamp of the Catalan sworn translator on each page.
- A statement declaring the faithfulness of the translation.
- A mention of the date and place of issue.
- Format and presentation
It is generally recommended that the design of the original document be maintained (position of the text, order, structure, etc.). Even though this is not compulsory, it aids with the comparison and proofreading. - Delivery with full legal validity
- As a hard copy, with a handwritten signature.
- As an electronic version, with a recognized digital signature, provided that it includes all the legal elements (stamp, signature, statement and date).
In both cases, a sworn translation is considered valid before any administration or official entity in Spain.
What does a translation agency in Barcelona provide?
A translation agency in Barcelona that is specialized in professional translation into Catalan and translation from Catalan to Spanish offers multiple guarantees:
- Selecting a Catalan translator or Spanish-Catalan translator with experience in legal or technical documentation.
- Speedy management of the process: receiving the documentation, delivery, quality control, meeting deadlines, etc.
- Technical advice regarding formats, legal requirements and, if applicable, coordinating an apostille for international documents.
The sworn translation process is not just a linguistic process; it is a technical and legal process. It stands out because of the intervention of the sworn Catalan translator, the certification with a signature and stamp, and the compliance with a rigorous format. This process ensures that the translation has full legal validity before official bodies for documents such as deeds, academic qualifications, certificates, sentences, contracts and more.
By working with a translation agency in Barcelona, terminological accuracy, professional quality control and efficiency are guaranteed for both Catalan to Spanish translation and professional translations into Catalan.
